Friday, November 30, 2007

The pictures were taken shortly after Senator Antonio Trillanes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim marched to the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City after storming out of the Makati City Regional Trial Court. Antonio Trillanes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim called on the Filipino people to join their cause and withdraw support from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Links to a number of reads follow some of the pictures. Yes, interesting reads. And I kid you not!

- Two members of the Magdalo group who were hiding inside the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City were arrested Thursday evening.

- News correspondents Pinky Webb and Ces Drilon, together with radio dzMM reporter Noel Alamar and technical crewmen, were arrested after Trillanes’s group abandoned the standoff for the safety of the people inside the hotel.

- Catholic bishops who have been critical of President Arroyo will lead a prayer rally at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila Friday, Bonifacio Day, to reiterate calls for her resignation over unresolved political issues hounding her administration.

- A surprised Joseph Estrada denied that he had prior knowledge of the standoff in Makati City Thursday, saying he was busy for a medical mission in Quezon City with fellow opposition personalities.

- The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that the six-hour standoff at the Manila Peninsula hotel in Makati was “well-planned,” as authorities uncovered documents proving the organization that involved Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.

- Retired general Jose Almonte, a national security adviser during the term of former president Fidel Ramos, said Thursday he sees no end in sight for incidents such as the crisis in Makati City “as long as the government is not doing its job.”

- Director General Avelino Razon Jr., Philippine National Police chief, told abs-cbnNEWS.com that the police was in the process of identifying the members of the "threat group," which has links with Trillanes and Lim.

- The US embassy in Manila on Thursday warned American citizens in the country to avoid Makati City after a group of soldiers stormed a hotel and demanded President Arroyo's immediate resignation.

- The Australian government cautioned its nationals in the Philippines not to let their guard down during the weekend.

- Video on Police Director Geary Barias of the National Capital Region Police Office as leaves the Peninsula Manila Hotel without talking to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV after setting the 3 p.m. deadline.

- Video on The Peninsula Manila during the start of the standoff between the Magdalo soldiers of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, wearing red armbands, and government forces.

- After a daring courtroom walkout that went unchecked by their security escorts, renegade officers on trial for the 2003 Oakwood mutiny -- led by Navy lieutenant and now Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV -- again sought to seize a posh Makati City hotel.

- As I’m writing this, my eyes and ears are at the same time glued to the TV set, where practically all networks are carrying live news footage of the takeover of Manila Peninsula Hotel of forces loyal to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, both of whom are facing trial for the alleged crime of coup d’etat.

- Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim ended their day the way they started it – behind bars – after holing up at the Peninsula Hotel Manila in Makati City yesterday with about 30 supporters to demand anew the resignation of President Arroyo.

- A cloud of tear gas and armored vehicles used as battering rams forced a group of rebellious former military officers out of an upscale MakatiCity hotel where they had staked out for almost seven hours in the hope of launching another “people power” revolt.

- Military officials believe the standoff in MakatiCity was unplanned, saying Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV appeared to be on his own when he walked out of a court hearing and took over a hotel yesterday.

- We are all Filipinos. We are one nation. Why can't we act for the common good instead of destroying our country with every year that goes by? Why can't we remember that we conquered Martial Law peacefully once?

- Four members of the Manila Bulletin staff – two reporters and two photographers – were among those detained by the military during the roundup operations at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati yesterday.

- President Arroyo ordered the military and police yesterday to “mop up all residual threats” to her administration and to “fully restore” law and order.

- The Philippine National Police (PNP) will observe maximum tolerance at a multi-sectoral rally calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Manila Friday.

- The prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) recounted how the walkout of accused junior officers happened during a hearing on the trial on the failed 2003 coup at the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 Thursday.

- The National Union of People's Lawyers, an organization of human rights lawyers, blasted the curfew declared by government in the wake of the Makati standoff as “unconstitutional” and said any arrests for violating the curfew would be “illegal.”

Thursday, November 29, 2007

I'm in Makati City right now. Senator Antonio Trillanes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim marched to the Manila Peninsula Hotel after storming out of the Makati City Regional Trial Court. Antonio Trillanes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim are calling upon the Filipino people to withdraw support from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Will later post pictures on initial developments outside the Manila Penn. Some interesting reads include:

- Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim walked out of a Makati City courtroom and called upon the Filipino people to withdraw support from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Lim, who faces court martial proceedings in connection with the uprising on February 24 last year, was testifying on the coup d'etat case against the Magdalo Group when the incident occurred.

- Civil society groups and bishops called for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign and called on the people to come out and show support for Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Among them were Jimmy Regalario of the Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya, Father Robert Reyes, former University of the Philippines president Francisco Nemenzo, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Bishops Julius Labayen and Gaudencio Tobias.

- The website of a shadowy group called "Sundalo" is calling on the people to support rebel soldiers currently holed up in a hotel in Makati, just a few hours after they walked out of a court hearing. In bold and capital letters, the website announced: “Senator Antonio Trillanes, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, and Magdalo soldiers, their guards and the people are now in Manila Peninsula.”

- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday afternoon gave Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim until 3 p.m. to peacefully surrender to authorities, as it ordered the evacuation of guests and personnel inside the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

- Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is confident that “nothing will happen after 3 p.m.” Trillanes issued the statement Thursday as the deadline set by authorities for the senator and his group to vacate the Manila Peninsula lapsed. “What we did is a moral obligation, not only as citizens of this country,” said Trillanes, adding, “It is our duty as religious individuals to do what is right.”

- "Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon is going to be forcibly arraigned on the charge of violation of Article of War 70, in the absence of counsel," Trixie Angeles said.

- President Arroyo ordered Thursday the Philippine National Police to arrest rebel soldiers, led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, who occupied the Manila Peninsula Hotel and called for the president's ouster.

- Soldiers set up checkpoints along the south and north Luzon expressways to prevent troops sympathetic to Senator Antonio Trillanes from proceeding to Metro Manila. Trillanes and other soldiers accused of coup d’etat walked out of their hearing at the Makati regional trial court and led a march to the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City on Thursday.

- Major General Rodrigo Maclang, commander of the military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), has declared “heightened alert” in Central Luzon, the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera.

- Malacañang has advised the public to stay away from the Ayala area "to avoid any confusion," as law enforcers said it was prepared to enforce the arrest warrant on Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said however that the situation was "under control" and assured that the rule of law would prevail.

- The Presidential Security Group (PSG) was placed on red alert as security around the Malacañang Complex and nearby streets were tightened. Brigadier Gen. Romeo Prestoza, PSG commander, assured that Palace security personnel are prepared. The development comes on the heels of the protest march of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim in Makati City.

- The forces of the Philippine Army troops are "intact" and will remain loyal to the chain of command amid calls by rebellious soldiers for their troops and the public to withdraw support from the government, Army chief Lieutenant General Alexander Yano said Thursday.

- Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on Thursday afternoon said those who led the courtroom walkout and the march to the Manila Peninsula hotel may face charges of sedition. Gonzalez, who was at an emergency Cabinet meeting in Malacañang, said tagged the Makati City gathering of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Brig. Gen Danilo Lim, several opposition figures and their supporters as “illegal."

- Profile on former Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV, 36, an elected senator, who led a march for withdrawal of support call against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday with Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim and former Vice President Teofisto Guingona.

- Profile on Brig. Gend. Danilo, who was relieved from his post as commander of the elite First Scout Rangers Regiment for allegedly plotting a coup d'etat against the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration.

- Oakwood Mutiny: More than 300 junior officers and enlisted men took over the Oakwood Premier in the Ayala Center, Makati City on July 27, 2003.

- Navy Ltsg. Antonio Trillanes IV, Army Capt. Gerardo Gambala, Army Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, Navy Ltsg. James Layug, and Marine Capt. Gary Alejano led more than 300 junior officers and enlisted men and took over the Oakwood Premier in the Ayala Center, Makati City on July 27, 2003.

- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has left San Pablo City aboard a helicopter and will head straight to Malacañang where she will preside over a meeting by the crisis committee of the National Security Council that will discuss the situation in Makati City involving Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

- “Trillanes and Lim are just saving their own skin in causing (a) commotion. That is just so irresponsible… This will definitely have an effect on our economy and the foreigners’ perception on our country," said Donald Dee, chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

- On the eve of the government-imposed "deadline" for their surrender, military sympathizers of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim said Thursday expressed readiness to fight to the very end.

- Sen. Mar Roxas on Thursday urged his colleague Sen. Antonio Trillanes to “be calm, and do not bring this to a point where our people’s blood will be shed," adding that “we hear the frustration, the cynicism, the estrangement from the government that is in your voice and in your positions."

- Pro-government have started closing in on the Manila Peninsula Hotel, in what is perceived as a preparation for a possible assault on the hotel in a bid to rearrest Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.

- After failing to convince members of the media and supporters of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim to leave the hotel, police Dir. Geary Barias on Thursday afternoon reiterated that government troops will effect the two officials' arrest by 3 p.m.

- "Don't let the guests leave. Don't restrain them," Antonio Trillanes said in Filipino. He gave no other statement.

- Vice President Manuel "Noli" de Castro appealed for calm in the wake of tensions at a Makati City hotel where Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim have been holed up since late Thursday morning.

- Guests started evacuating a luxury hotel in Makati City Thursday after a group of rebel soldiers took over the building and demanded the resignation of President Arroyo.

- On Thursday, the luxurious 497-room The Peninsula Hotel Manila became an unwilling host to a standoff tension between mutinous troops led by detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and soldiers loyal to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

- The Philippine military is rushing around 1,500 troops to the capital Manila to crush a mutiny by rebel soldiers who have taken over a luxury hotel, a military spokesman said.

- Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, a former Armed Forces chief of staff, said he hopes that the situation will not end up in “soldiers killing each other.”

- At least 50 Special Weapons and Tactics commandos have lined up outside the Manila Pensinsula hotel in Makati City to enforce the arrest of rebel soldiers who stormed out of a Makati courtroom and called for President Arroyo's resignation.

- Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday said he expects the worst to happen after he and two dozen rebel soldiers took over a luxury hotel in Makati City and called for President Arroyo's resignation.

- Brigadier General Danilo Lim on Thursday said they will not surrender to government authorities, despite reported deployment of pro-government troops in preparation for the serving of the arrest warrant against Lim and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

- The takeover by rebel soldiers over a luxury hotel in Makati City might be part of a bigger plot by anti-Arroyo groups to overthro the government, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said Thursday.

- Footage taken by ABS-CBN Sky Patrol showed Special Weapons and Tactics commandos moving in battle formation towards the hotel at 4 p.m.

- An hour since the 3 p.m. deadline lapsed, government troops began its assault on the Manila Peninsula Hotel at 4 p.m.

- Government soldiers, backed by armored personnel carrier, also were seen taking combat positions outside the hotel. Some were also seen going into the hotel premises.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

I came upon this interesting site, Savebuckets, which touts itself as a free to use online comparison shopping service that aims to help users find best-buy products. Savebuckets features a ton of products, e.g., consumer electronics, from a wide range of shops. One particular product line that caught my eye was Savebuckets’ MP3 players section. Savebuckets’ MP3 players section offers a gazillion of products from every corner of the globe! A highlight of Savebuckets’ MP3 players section is the integrated feature that allows one to compare prices and sort by best price! Wow! This will surely come in handy this coming Christmas season as I try to spread the holiday cheer among all my godkids who have been naughty and nice this year!

By the way, Savebuckets also allows users to enter the maximum amount they are prepared to pay against the selected product, e.g., iPod. Savebuckets’ will then check the price of that product whenever a shop on its service has changed the price. And via email, the online comparison shopping service will contact the user when the price has reached or fallen beneath the maximum price. The email even comes with a link directly to that shop! Wow! Isn’t that neat? IT IS! And I kid you not!

Wu Chia-Ching massacred Japan’s T. Kuribayashi at 11-3 in the finals to snatch the top prize of JPY2,000,000. Wu Chia-Ching is just 18 years old! And I kid you not! Some of the great pool players who were trounced by Wu Chia-Ching include the 2006 All Japan Champion Filipino Lee Vann Corteza, 11-6 (last 16); Japan’s H. Hijikata, 11-1, (last 4), and T. Kuribayashi, 11-3, (finals).

My friend over at The Broken Bow sent me an interesting link to check out, i.e., CarAngel. CarAngel is an organization that uses car donations to create a difference in children's lives via the creation of free children's DVDs, e.g., positive children’s animations and anti-drug documentaries.

CarAngel Ministries, which averages less than 5% of revenues for overhead, touts itself as an organization that aims to help others e.g., single mothers, orphans, the homeless, teen and adult drug users, and prisoners, via car donations. Anyone can become a Car Angel and choose the charity organization that will benefit from the donate-a-car program by donating a vehicle, e.g., car, boat, plane, motorcycle, or RV, or a house. In the process, the donor receives a tax deduction while avoiding hassles associated with private sales.

So, why vehicles? Well, the vehicle that one donates goes to provide much needed funding for preschool and grade school-aged children in the poorest nations of the world. Donated vehicles are sold to fund education pursuits, feeding programs, and provide teachers and training materials for our misfortunate brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. Sudan, Columbia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mexico, Nigeria, India, and Kenya are reputedly some of the areas that have already been touched by CarAngel Ministries. The organization also included the Philippines in its list, but this is my first time to hear about them. I guess not all charitable organizations get that much-needed exposure from conventional media, right?

And what types of vehicles that one can donate to CarAngel Ministries? It does not matter what type, model, or year! CarAngel will accept old vehicles from the 1970s and 1980s or newer ones from the 1990s. It even accepts lawnmowers, tractors, and heavy earth-moving equipment! And for transparency, CarAngel gives an instant receipt for each donation!

So, if you are not using that extra car in your garage, do check out CarAngel Ministries and help them help others. And if you do not have a vehicle to donate, perhaps you know someone who does! Tell them about CarAngel Ministries and how they can make a difference in people’s lives. Because after all is said and done, we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what give. And I kid you not!

The AnitoKid celebrated his 1st year anniversary as a blogger at the launch of Niels Feijen’sCue Sessions Manila Tour at Absinth in Greenbelt 3, MakatiCity (November 21, 2007). Niels Feijen, aka The Terminator, is a multi-awarded pool player from Holland, The Netherlands. Feijen holds several championships and titles under his belt, e.g., 2007 Derby City Classic 9-ball, 2007 ESPN Challenge of Champions, and 2007 European Champion Straightpool.

I know for a fact that Niels Feijen is a DJ, but I never guessed he was that good! The Terminator currently holds a reputation as one of the best DJs in Holland. And rightfully so! Niels wowed the crowd at Absinth with his specialties, which included progressive-house, tech-house, deep-house, house and techno! When not playing pool in the professional circuit, Niels Feijen spins at events in different bars from Germany, England, and France. The Terminator used to spin at the One Four club in Hague, Holland, for a number of years before becoming a resident DJ at de Kleine Kunst in his country of residence.

It was like a get-together of sort because Absinth that night was filled with familiar clubbing faces and friends. They include siblings Gilbert and Dave, brothers Alan, Michael, and Noel, Sarah, Carla, Brandon, Lisa, Marilou, Jason, Letlet, Bange, Stephanie, and Jesse Gonzalez, the ultimate clubber and the man behind the event. Hey Jesse! Much thanks for the great experience! Food was great and the drinks were overflowing! As always, it was a night worth remembering! And I kid you not!

*Niels Feijen’s Cue Sessions was a three-part, three-day gig. The second part of the Manila Tour was held at the Club Industry in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. The Terminator did the finale at Ascend, High Bonifacio Street, The Fort, TaguigCity.

"Clubbing - synonymous with The AnitoKid."

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The Makati Pool Players Association (MAPPA) will hold its 1st 9-Balls Challenge at the AMF-Puyat Superbowl, Makati Cinema Square, Makati City, on November 29-30, and December 7-8, 2007.

Schedule of games is as follows

Nov. 29, Thursday: 6:00 PM

Nov. 30, Friday: 6:00 PM

Dec. 7, Friday: 6:00 PM

Dec. 8, Saturday: 3:00 PM

Registration fee is only Php500 (five hundred pesos). Player classification is ongoing at the AMF-Puyat Superbowl. For added info, please contact 818-0239 or 811-1922. Or better yet, leave a message at this post or call/text The AnitoKid at 0918-264-4445 (+63-918-264-4445) for any queries.

Much thanks to Mr. Ted Castro and Tony Baranda for sponsoring the 1st MAPPA 9-Ball Challenge! Maraming salamat sa supporta mga kaibigan! By the way, trophies await the winners of the billiards competition! And oh! These are not run-of-the-mill trophies, mind you! These are great looking trophies (and quite heavy, too) that will make a very distinct addition to anyone’s collection! That’s a promise!

So, what are you waiting for? Get your cues ready and join the competition! It’s a 9-ball challenge you surely wouldn’t want to miss! What? Me, join? I AM JOINING! I'm cleaning my Predator 2 and Viattorre cues as we speak! And I kid you not!

"Billiards is all about cue-ball control. The AnitoKid!"

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-- Maraming Salamat Po! --

About Me

aka The Champ. A Filipino! Born on the 24th of July. Plays the piano, guitar, and the clarinet. Collects books and stamps. Very much into billiards, fishing and photography. A Financial Analyst, Business Analyst, and Information Scientist. A pool player. A Student of Life - Seeking Alpha certified. And I kid you not!